Ski binding



March 27, 1951 J. JOHANSEN SKI BINDING Filed 001;. 8, 1948 IN VEN TOR. ,/0///7 A ./a//a/7e/7 wza/ Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES rm 2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to means for securing skis onto the boots of the user and is especially concerned with an improved fastening and binding means for affording a firm support when necessary but for quickly releasing the boots and the skis under accidental conditions or conditions of extreme strain.

It is an object of my invention to provide a ski binding which is generally an improvement over ski bindings now is use and now available.

Another object of my invention is to provide a ski binding of a nature which will permit release of the boot and the ski when emergency conditions arise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski binding which, although quickly releasable under special circumstances, is nevertheless a firm connection under ordinary conditions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a ski binding readily adaptable to present day ski boots and skis without substantial alterations therein.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an isometric view of a ski binding constructed in accordance with my invention, a part of the ski boot being shown in broken lines and in disengaged location.

Figure 2 is a plan of the toe portion of the binding of my invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the ski binding of my invention, certain portions being broken away to disclose the interior construction of the binding in longitudinal cross-section on a vertical plane.

In its preferred form, the ski binding of my invention includes a toe-engaging mechanism for interrelating the toe of the ski boot and the forward portion of the ski, the interengagement being such that while firm connection is normally provided, a quick disengagement can be effectuated under extra heavy strain or in emergency conditions. Also included in the binding is a heel-engaging portion preferably including an ankle strap and a means for relating the ski boot heel to the ski in such a fashion that the toe mechanism is normally held in engagement.

While there are numerous variations possible in my ski binding depending somewhat upon the projected conditions of use and somewhat upon the individual preferences of the user, ithas successfully been incorporated as illustrated herein. In this arrangement, the customary ski 5 is provided in its forward portion with a toe piece l preferably a formed sheet of metal having a base flange 3 abutting the upper surface of the ski 6 and secured thereto by fastenings 9. Included in the formation of the toe piece is an arcuate forward wall ll spanning a portion of the width of the ski t and upstanding therefrom at not quite a right-angle to the upper surface of the ski. The toe piece l at the top margin of the forward wall I! is provided with a rearwardly directed, substantially horizontal transversely extending flange l2 having an arcuate, centrally indented portion l3 and a pair of end lugs l4 and i6 disposed symmetrically at either side thereof. This structure provides what in effect is a curved channel ll (Figure 3) between the plate ll and the flange [2.

Adapted to be removably interengaged with the member 1 is a toe structure l9 having a substantially U-shaped bottom plate 21 secured to the sole 22 of the users ski boot by appropriate fastening screws 23. The toe plate is bent upwardly in its central forward portion to provide a transversely arcuate upstanding wall 22 additionally secured to the sole 22 by a forward fastening screw 26. Rearwardly directed from the wall 24 is a substantially horizontalarcuate ledge 2i bent angularly to provide an upright central projection 23 ofiset rearwardly from the wall 2 a slight amount, for example about one sixteenth of an inch. The forward wall 2Q is of a shape approximately to fit within the transverse channel ll, while the upstanding lip 28 is of a width and contour to fit within the indentation I3 and between the flange lugs i l and it. Thus, when the member [9 is in nested position with the plate '5, as shown especially in Figure 3, forward movement of the ski boot with respect to the ski is precluded and lateral or twisting movement of the ski boot toe with respect to the ski is prevented in both directions by the lugs it and i6. Furthermore, upward motion is precluded by the interlocking of the ledge 27 beneath the rearwardly extending lip E2. The only re maining possible motion is a rearward one. Otherwise, the toe of the ski boot is firmly secured to the ski.

In accordance with my invention 1 provide means for firmly holding the described parts of the binding in their interlocked relationship, as shown especially in Figure 3, when desired. That isaccomplished by the provision On the ski ii as a part of the binding, although separate from the forward piece I, of a formed rear plate 3| having a pair of flanges 32 and 33 held by appropriate fastenings 34 to the material of the ski 6. Up-

standing from the flanges and affording an arcuate wall approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the ski is a band 36 extending substantially entirely across the ski itself. The position of the wall 36 with respect to the remaining part of the binding is such that the heel 3? of the ski boot properly engages the wall 36 when the plate 19 is in engagement with the plate ll. That is, the user first inserts the toe plate into interengaging position and then permits his heel to lower toward the surface of the ski with the boot heel 3'! engaging the plate 36. In that way, a final wedging action is provided to drive the toe plate forwardly into interlocked position. The reverse movement, that is lifting of the heel, permits the boot to move slightly to the rear and to permit disengagement of the forward portion of the binding.

The interrelationship of the boot heel and the rear plate 31% is such that all movement is precluded except a rising movement of the boot heel with respect to the ski. This particular motion is normally prevented by an ankle strap 38 secured at its opposite ends to the plate 31' and provided with a retaining loop 39 also secured to the plate 3'3. A buckle 41 provides a means for adjusting the tightness of the ankle strap 38. For some uses it is desirable to have the ankle strap 38 relatively loose, in which case the heel 3'! can be lifted sufficiently to free the plate i9 from the plate "'1 and an emergency release of the ski from the boot is thus afforded. If it is desired, however, for certain purposes to provide a firm attachment of the boot to the ski and to dispense with the releasing feature, then merely by tightening the strap 38 and by appropriate adjustment of the buckle il, the only releasing movement, namely the lifting of the boot and ski is p ovided.

I have, in accordance with my invention, provided a ski binding which secures the toe of the ski boot to the ski without the necessity of any adjustment or intricate mechanism but which can readily be made releasable simply by appropriately fastening the ankle strap. In addition,

when the ankle strap is arranged therefor, the releasable feature is dispensed with and a firm interconnection between the boot and the ski is provided.

I claim:

1. A ski binding comprising a toe-engaging mechanism including a piece adapted to be secured to a ski and having a rearwardly directed horizontal portion with a central indentation, a toe plate adapted to be secured to a ski boot and having a vertical lip adapted to fit within said indentation between the sides of said portion, and an arcuate wall adapted to be secured to said ski at a fixed distance from said indentation and to be engaged by the heel of said ski boot when said lip is within said indented portion.

2. A ski binding comprising a toe piece formed of a sheet of metal having a base adapted to be secured to a ski and bent to form an upstanding forward wall terminating in a rearwardly directed horizontal ledge, a pair of spaced horizontal lugs on said ledge defining a central indented portion, a toe plate formed of a sheet of metal adapted to be secured to a ski boot, said toe plate being bent to form a vertical wall adapted to abut said forward wall and to be received in said indented portion between said lugs, an upstanding rear wall adapted to be secured to said ski in a location to engage the heel of said ski boot when said toe plate abuts said forward wall, and a strap secured on said rear wall for engaging and holding said ski boot in abutment with said wall.

JOHN INDAHL JOHANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,978 Norway Apr. 10, 1905 126,223 Switzerland June 1, 1928 134,284 Switzerland Oct. 1, 1929 845,670 France May 22. 1939 

